A WAREHOUSE on the edge of Wellington could become a strategically important facility for people who want to play padel tennis.

Somerset Council is being asked to approve plans to convert part of the warehouse on the Poole Works Trading Estate for use as indoor padel courts.

Planning agent Joanne Halton, of Halton Planning Services, Dulverton, said three doubles and one singles court would be available for use from 6 am to 11 pm every day of the year.

The nearest facilities currently to Wellington were in Taunton to the east of the town, and in Exeter to the west.

Ms Halton said: “Padel is a hybrid of tennis and squash and is one of the fastest growing sports in Britain and globally.

“It can be played by all age groups and is accessible to beginners without prior tennis experience.

“Padel courts provide a vibrant and enjoyable environment for friends and families alike.

“Players value the sport’s dynamic nature, which allows for swift matches in casual or competitive settings.

“It is easy to learn and suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it a welcoming sport for diverse communities.

“The courts will be wheelchair-friendly, ensuring people of varying abilities can enjoy the game on an equal footing.

“The proposed one-off booking model ensures the facility is accessible to all income groups without a financial barrier to entry.

“Recent statistics show the number of padel courts in the UK has more than doubled over the past few years.

“In response to this surge, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have set a target of increasing the number of courts from 350 to 1,000 by 2026.”

Ms Halton said sports analysts projected a 30 per cent annual increase in UK padel participation, reflecting strong demand.

She said: “The LTA has confirmed there is a clear and identified demand gap in Somerset.

“Wellington and its surrounding catchment is a strategic priority location, with no existing padel facilities currently serving the town or surrounding villages.”

Ms Halton said the warehouse was currently used for the manufacture, storage, and distribution of home furnishings, but the firm was downsizing and about 16,500 sq ft was now surplus to requirements, about a third of the building.

She said the facility would generate direct employment, including a site manager, cleaning, a part-time maintenance position, and the potential for two to four freelance padel coaches.

Ms Halton said: “Padel tennis is a popular and fast growing sport across the UK.

“Padel is mainly an indoor sport in the UK and is best suited to out of centre locations due to the scale of the premises required to accommodate an economically viable venue and as a result of the operations associated with the playing activity, which means a venue remote from residential neighbours is preferable.”

Ms Halton said the applicant, Will Atkinson, a director of Exeter-based Floatkinson Ltd, a company set up last year to run sports facilities, had been searching for about six months for a suitable site and had not found any other available venue.